Influence of Aeration through Turning on Microbial Activity and Decomposition Rate in Vermicomposting

This study was implemented to investigate effects of turning (aeration) on microbiological activity and rate of decomposition in vermicomposting. Aeration is a key element in composting which provides oxygen to the aerobic organisms during composting. Oxygen also has the important function of controlling temperature as well as removing excess moisture and unhygienic gases. If the oxygen supply is limited, the composting process might turn anaerobic, which is much slower and odorous process. Such maintenance of aerobic condition has some additional significance for vermicomposting because the earthworms, which play vital role in this kind of composting, are essentially dependant on availability molecular oxygen in the system. Although some information is available on the beneficial effects of maintaining aerobic conditions in composting chambers through turning the piles during traditional composting yet such information with regard to vermicomposting is not available. In this experiment, therefore, the effect of turning the vermicomposting materials on nature and the behaviour of microorganisms and also on the rate of decomposition were studied. The result of the study will be hopefully helpful for maintaining aerobic condition in the vermicomposting system, thus improving the pace of vermicomposting and the quality of the product.